Verse 12, “Because of this the heavens and those who dwell therein rejoice.  Woe to those who inhabit the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.   And when the dragon saw that he was cast out into the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.”  Now that’s the Church.  “And to the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished there for a time, and times, and half a time [3 ½ years], from the face of the serpent.  And the serpent cast water out of his mouth as a river that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.  But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened it mouth, and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth.”  So God is even going to let the earth help us.  “And the dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (vs. 12-17, AT).

Now let’s understand something.  The King James version says “remnant of her seed”, and a remnant is not a proper translation.  A remnant is a small remainder that’s left, giving the indication that the greatest majority of those have gone to a place of safety.  But this gives no indication in the Greek as to a remnant being a small number.  It just says “the others or the rest”, which could be a greater number.  Undoubtedly will be.

Now let’s go to Luke 17 and see how you’re going to get to a place of safety if you’re going to go.  God is the one Who’s going to make the selection.  It says here we’re going to be on the wings of a great eagle, which is a type of God’s protection for us.  And also that means that the angels, as we will see here in Luke 17, will take us there. 

Now let’s begin in Luke 17:22.  “And He said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man…”  Like I explained, the days of the Son of man at the end, the Day of the Lord is the 3 ½ years, the day of wrath is the last 18 months, the day of the Lord includes the whole 3 ½ years.  “…And shall not see it.  And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.  For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven…”  Now we’re going to see in Matthew 24, that is the sun.  It’s just like a sun.  Not the sun, but it’s like a sun.  “…So shall also the Son of man be in His day.  But first must He suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.  And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.  Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded…”   Sounds like I just gave the economic report on the economic news, right?  Yes.  “But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  Even thus [that means “exactly in the same way”] shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:22-30).

Now then we have this.  This shows what’s going to happen to the rest who are not in Judea and they go to a place of safety.  “In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.  Remember Lot’s wife” (vs. 31-32).  Now that takes care of all of those who were in Judea.  Remember Lot’s wife.  She did not believe.  She thought that she could look back and she was turned into a pillar of salt. 

Verse 33, “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it…”  That’s why if you’re preparing a Petra box it isn’t going to do you any good.  Even if you had it you wouldn’t have time to go get it.  And even if it were right there you wouldn’t be able to take it because when the angels take those to go to a place of safety, as we will see, you’re not going to have time to get it.  “…And whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.”  You’re to lose your life in Christ and in His way, then you’ll preserve it. 

“I tell you…” Now I want you to understand.  Let’s look at the timeframe that’s here and we are going to see that this is like looking down on the earth from heaven.  When you look down on the earth half of it is night, and half of it is day all the time as it turns.  Now notice the phenomena that we have hear.  “I tell you, in that night [yet it’s talking about the day of the Lord, because certain places in the day of the Lord it’s going to be night] there shall be two … in one bed: the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.  Two … shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”  Now it says taken.  Those in Judea are to get up and run.  Here these are taken.  Taken by whom?  Taken where?  Well, how did Lot leave Sodom?  The angels came and took him, right.  So to go to a place of safety, which Lot was taken to wasn’t he?  Yes.  The angels will take us.  That’s what it’s talking about.  One shall be taken the other left.  “Two … shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”  Now in the field, this is on the day portion of the earth where it’s daytime.  And normally grinding would take place early in the morning.  So we’ve got night, early morning, and daytime.  And Christ told them exactly where it would be.  “And they answered and said unto Him, Where, Lord?  And He said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together” (vs. 34-37).  That doesn’t tell us where it is.  I was being a little fictitious there. 

Please understand this.  If you know where the place of safety is and you don’t get there, the knowledge doesn’t do you any good.  If you don’t know where it is and you do get there then you’ll find out where it is when you arrive.  Now there are even some people going over trying to get space in Petra hotel.  They’re trying to work out their own salvation.  That’s not faith in Christ.  It isn’t going to happen that way.

Now then, let’s come back to Revelation 6 and let’s put this together a little bit more.  Let’s understand there will be a place of safety.  Let’s understand that some people are going to go, some people are going to be left behind.  And those that are left behind are going to have to give their lives.  That’s just the way it’s going to have to be.  Now we cannot choose.  We’re not capable.  We always thought the ministers would pick up the phone and call you, say, “Ok, time to go.”  But God looks at the heart, and men do not know.  And just think of the political mess it would be.  And besides, stop and think about all of the different leaders who would…the various churches of God…would get there.  And do you think that Gerald Flurry would give up being in charge?  Or, you know, can you imagine the fight that would take place between Rod Meredith and Gerald Flurry, and Les McCullough, and whoever else would be over there.  Who’s going to be in charge?  Listen: when we get to a place of safety, if we get there, we’re all going to trust in Christ and we’re all going to be yielded to God. 

Now if it is in the area of Petra please understand that God can put a cloud cover over just like He did the children of Israel when they were in the wilderness.  Please understand that God can also put a magnetic shield over so no weapons of destruction can get in there.  So we have to have faith in God.  Just like the children of Israel, have to realize even though we see the impossible like it was when they were standing alongside the Red Sea, God parted the Red Sea and they walked on dry ground.  Now God will do the same miracle for us if we have the same kind of faith. 

Now let’s come to Revelation 6.  Let’s understand something here very important.  In the fifth chapter it says Christ was found worthy to open the seals.  So this begins The Day of the Lord.  So the Day of the Lord begins when the Lord opens the seals. 

Now verse 1, “And I looked when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as a voice of thunder, “Come and see!”  And I looked, and behold, a white horse, and the one who was sitting on it had a bow, and a crown was given him, and he went out conquering and to conquer” (Rev. 6:1-2, AT).  And I think this is the great false religious movement, which is already out there and moving, and moving, and moving, and generating.  And I think that it’s going to be crowned with a one world bible, and that’s when this will be fulfilled.

Verse 3, “And when He opened the second seal I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see!”  And a horse went out that was red: and to the one sitting on it was given to him to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given to him a great sword” (vs. 3-4).  Now that ties in with Revelation 13 that we already read, where the Beast is going to have power to make war against the saints for forth and two months.  That’s when it takes place.  This is when the last 3 ½ years begin.  Right here.  This is the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

“And when opened the third seal I heard the third living creature saying, “Come and see!”  And I looked, and behold, a black horse and the one sitting on it had a balance in his hand.  And I heard the voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A measure of wheat for a [coin] denarius, and three measures of barley for a [coin] denarius: and see that you do not damage the oil and the wine.”  And when He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see!”  and I looked, and behold, a pale horse, and the one sitting on it, and his name was Death, and the grave followed him; and the authority was given to them to kill over the fourth of the earth with the sword and with famine and with death, and by the beasts of the earth” (vs. 5-8).  Once the war starts all of these things follow, and it will follow very quickly.  Famine will be very quick because everybody lives from week to week out of the supermarket.  And that’s all going to come to an end.

Now verse 9.  “And when He opened the fifth seal…”  Now this is when Satan is wroth, which we read back in Revelation 12 where he’s wroth and went to make war against the remnant of her seed.  So you can tie in Revelation 12.  You can tie in Revelation 13.  Here is when the actual war and the killing of the saints begins in earnest.  And it’s going to make Auschwitz and Dachau, and all of those places look like kindergarten.  “…When He opened the fifth seal I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God, and because of the testimony which they held;”  And there were many, beginning with Stephen the very first martyr who stood right up before the Sanhedrin and said, “You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart.  You always resist the Holy Spirit.”  And that’s the kind of message that we’re going to have to give.

Verse 10, “And they were crying out with a loud voice, saying, “How long O Lord, holy and true, do You not judge and avenge our blood on those who are dwelling on the earth?”  And white robes were given to each one of them; and it was said to them that they should rest yet for a short time, until it shall be fulfilled that both their fellow servants and their brethren should be killed as they also were killed” (vs. 10-11).  Now when that happens it will come down and it will be the only ones who will be alive in the flesh as Christians at that time will be those in the place of safety.  When it comes down and they kill the very last one that Satan makes war against.  And that they will.  And Satan will think, boy he’s really got it now.  Then Christ is going to intervene.  Then is going to happen one of the greatest events that’s going to take place.  The opening of the sixth seal.

Let’s read it.  “And when He opened the sixth seal, I looked and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as the hair of sackcloth, and the moon became as blood,  and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casts its untimely fig, when being shaken by a mighty wind.  Then the heaven departed as a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places” (vs. 12-14).

Now let’s go to Matthew 24 and see that that is the sign of the Son of man.  This is really something.  It’s going to look like, and it will be true, the earth will be about to be invaded from outer space.  And hasn’t the world been programmed for that?  Hasn’t the world had all of these things just all lined up?  Aren’t we looking for aliens from outer space?  And truly Christ is an alien to this earth, isn’t He, to the people of the world, isn’t He?  So when the heavens are rolled back like a scroll…

Let’s pick it up here in Matthew 24:26.  “Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.  For as the lightning cometh out of the east…”  Now this means the light of day.  It’s going to be as the light of day.  “…Cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west…”  So there is going to be a brand new sun, as it were, in the heaven that they never saw before.  That is the sign of the Son of man.  The heavens depart like a scroll.  “…So shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (vs. 26-27).

Now notice verse 29.  “Immediately after the tribulation of those days…”  Now this is not the full 3 ½ years.  This is the tribulation leading up to the sign of the Son of man.  “…Shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light [just as we read], and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in  the clods of heaven with power and great glory” (vs. 29-30). 

Now let’s go back in Revelation 6 and see that.  And let’s pick it up here in verse 14.  “Then the heaven departed as a scroll that is being rolled up…”  And then there is the sign of the Son of man.  “…and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.  And the kings of the earth, and the great men and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the powerful men, and every bondman, and every free man hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him Who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;  because the great day of His wrath has come and who has the power to stand?” (Rev. 6:14-17, AT).  Great and awesome time that’s going to be brethren.  And the very first thing Christ is going to do is He is going to save the 144,000 and the great innumerable multitude.

Now we come to Revelation 7 and we find that the 144,000 of Israel are saved and the great innumerable multitude are saved.  And these have come out of great tribulation.  Now then when we come to chapter 8 we begin the trumpet plagues.  And this is what the Feast of Trumpets pictures.  Because after the sealing of the 144,000 and the great innumerable multitude, on what I believe to be the next to the last Pentecost during the last 3 ½ years, then beginning on Trumpets, that’s when the trumpet plagues start.  So you have that time from Pentecost unto Trumpets where then 144,000 are sealed, the great innumerable multitude are sealed, and so forth. 

Now then we have the seventh seal that is opened.  Revelation 8:1, “And when He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about half-an-hour.  Then I saw the seven angels, who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.  And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.  And the smoke of the incense ascended up with the prayers of the saints, out of the hand of the angel, before God.  And the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth; and there were voices, and thunders and lighnings and an earthquake.”  You go through the book of Revelation, there are many, many, many earthquakes.  “Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves so that they might sound their trumpets” (Rev. 8:1-6, AT).    

“And the first angel sounded his trumpet;…”  Now notice all of these are the weapons of God, and there is no modern weapon that can beat the weapons of God, and these are the same that God used against Egypt.  “…And there was hail and fire mingled with blood, and it was cast upon the earth: and the third part of the trees were burnt up, and all the green grass was burnt up.”  That is worldwide.  When we’re talking about these events, these are worldwide events.  “And the second angel sounded his trumpet; and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea and the third part of the sea became blood; then a third of the creatures which were in the sea that had life, died; and the third of the ships were destroyed” (vs. 7-9).      

“And the third angel sounded his trumpet; and there fell out of heaven a great star, burning as a lamp, and it fell upon the third of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters.  And the name of the star is called “Wormwood”; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.  And the fourth angel sounded his trumpet; and the third of the sun was smitten, and the third of the moon, and the third of the stars; so that the third of them were darkened, and the third part of the day did not shine, and the night likewise.”  Great upheavals.  That’s why back in the book of Haggai 2, it says that God will arise yet once more and He will shake the earth.  He will shake the heavens.  He will shake the dry land.  He will shake the seas.  Then Christ will come. We’re seeing it right here.  “Then I looked, and heard one angel flying in mid-heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe, to those who are dwelling on the earth, because of the voices of the remaining trumpets of the three angels who are about to sound their trumpets.” (vs. 10-13).

Then we have the fifth angel sound his trumpet.  And this is a tremendous time where this takes place.  The sixth angel sounds his trumpet, which then is the second woe. Now let’s read that one and let’s see the army that is there. 

Revelation 9:13, “And the sixth angel sounded his trumpet; and I heard one voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Loose the four angels who are bound in the great river Euphrates.”  Then the four angels were loosed [obviously these are evil angels], who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill the third part of men;”  Now you see it’s all done according to time.  There’s no speeding up of anything here.  “And the number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred thousand thousand…”  That’s 200,000,000.  The greatest army that has ever been.  “…And I heard the number of them” (Rev. 9:13-16, AT).  They come with great power and great fury.

Then we come over here to chapter 11 where the seventh trumpet is sounded.  Let’s pick that up, Revelation 11.  Now I covered the two witnesses and their resurrection on Pentecost so let’s go beyond.  Let’s pick it up here in verse 14.

“The second woe is past: Behold the third woe comes immediately.  Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, “the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord’s and His Christ’s, and He shall reign into the ages of eternity.”  And the twenty-four elders, who sit before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces and worshipped God, saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, Who is, and Who was, and Who is coming, that You have taken to Yourself Your great power and have reigned.”  That is the beginning of His reign.  “Then the nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time for the dead to be judged [that’s the first resurrection at the seventh trump – the last trump], and to give the reward to your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and those who fear Your name, the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”  So that’s really quite a type.  “And the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple: then there were  lightnings and voices and thunders and an earthquake and great hail” (Rev. 11:14-19, AT).  I mean these are great an momentous events.  That’s why it says back in the book of Zephaniah: What is the day of the LORD to you?  There are a lot of people, “Hurry up, let’s bring the Day of the LORD.  Hurry up, let’s bring the Day of the LORD.  What is it to you but to merchandise and gain from the brethren?  No.  The day is going to come when it comes, how it’s going to come, the way that God has determined it.  And it’s right on time according to the schedule of the book of Revelation and it isn’t going to come any other way. 

Now let’s come to Revelation 15 because we have that with Pentecost so let’s pick up where we left off with Pentecost and let’s see what is going to happen because part of the things that are going to take place with the great destruction is going to take place in chapter 16.  And God is going to have all the saints see His vengeance and His wrath.  And it’s going to be awesome.  And this earth is going go through some the worst times it has ever been, as Christ said since the beginning of the creation until this time, and no nor ever shall be after that. 

Now, all the saints are resurrected, meet Christ in the air and go to the sea of glass.  Verse 2, “Then I saw a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing upon the sea of glass, having the harps of God.  And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and awesome are Your works, O Lord God Almighty; righteous and true are Your ways, King of the saints.  Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?  For You only are holy; for all the nations shall come and worship before You; for Your judgments are revealed.” (Rev. 15:2-4).  They’re all going to come and worship God.  Now He’s going to have to convince them of it.  He is going to have to send these plagues upon them.  And as we will see when the millenium begins there’s still war that continues for a short time.  We’ll see that a little later.

Now verse 5.  “And after these things, I looked, and behold the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened; and the seven angels, having the seven last plagues, came out of the temple clothed in linen—pure and bright—and gird about the chest with a golden chestplate.  And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden vials, full of the wrath of God, Who lives into the ages of eternity.  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power; and no one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled” (vs. 5-8).  

Now this is leading up, now beginning the first trumpet on the Feast of Trumpets, we come down through the seven trumpets.  The seventh trump sounds on Pentecost.  The saints are all resurrected, meet Christ in the air on the sea of glass.  Now we go from Pentecost down through to the next trumpets and that’s when Christ literally comes on the earth and all of us with Him.  But first, between Pentecost and Trumpets there are going to be these seven last plagues.  And this is all a part of the events leading up to the return of Christ.  And these are so powerful, and these are so mighty, and these are so great, and so awesome that we need to realize and understand this.  And who is it that is not going to fear God?  That is not going to love God because of this? 

And we’re going to see what the angels say of God for bringing these things.  Now in the world, Satan will say, “Well how can this be a God of love?  How can this be a God of compassion and concern?  Look at all the destruction He is bringing.”  While God is a God of love and compassion and concern He’s also judge.  And because of sin He must judge.  And these are His judgments because of the sin of the whole world.  Now let’s read it. 

“Then I heard a loud voice from out of the temple, saying, to the seven angels, “Go, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.”  And the first angel went and poured out his vial upon the earth; and an evil grievous sore fell upon the men who had the mark of the beast, and those who were worshipping his image.  And the second angel went and poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became blood…”  Now notice how the trumpet plagues only was a third of it.  Now we come back for a repeat performance and its all of it.  “…upon the sea; and it became blood, as of the blood ofadead man; and every living soul in the sea died” (Rev. 16:1-3, AT). Now this is talking about the whole oceans worldwide. 

“And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; and they became blood.  Then I heard the angel of the waters saying, “You are righteous, O Lord, Who are and Who was—even the Holy One—because You have judged this way.  For they have poured out the blood of the saints and the blood of the prophets, and you gave blood to them to drink! For they are worthy!” (vs. 4-6).  Now doesn’t that show you what you are worth in God’s sight?  God is going to avenge it.  God is going to take care of it.  Christ is going to execute this.  He’s going to send His angels out with the seven last plagues to carry them out. 

“And I heard another voice out of the altar saying, “Yes, O Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”  Absolutely true.  Absolutely righteous.  “And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given to the sun to scorch men with fire.  Then men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God, Who has authority over these plagues, and did not repent to give Him glory” (vs. 7-9).  See, in each one of these cases God is giving a space of repentance.  But just like at the end of chapter 9, they refused to repent of their murders and idolatries, and sorceries, and the worship of idols of gold and idols of silver.  They refused to repent and give Him glory.

“And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the throne of the beast; and his kingdom became full of darkness [just like it was in Egypt, darkness so thick they could feel it]; and they were gnashing their tongues from the pain.”  So apparently this darkness brings pain and agony.  “And they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and yet they did not repent of their works” (vs. 10-11).

Now then, God is going to give just a little bit of respite.  And just like Pharaoh, who hardened his heart and refused to let the children of Israel go, now God is going to give a little respite to all of this and there is going to be an interlude where it looks like that maybe men can get together and defeat God.  Of course they will think it’s invasion from outer space.  Let’s read it.    

“And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and its waters were dried up so that the way of the kings [of the east] from the rising of the sun might be prepared.  Then I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet; for they are spirits of demons working miracles…”  Just like the miracles that the sorcerers of Pharaoh were able to perform.  They go out and convince men that they can come and win this battle.  But no, God is letting them think that they are going to succeed.  In spite of all the destruction, in spite of all the things that come along, because you see the hard-heartedness of men, and the stubbornness of Satan, and the evil of them combined together is going to make them fall for this trap.  “…Working miracles, which go forth to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them together unto the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (vs. 12-14).

“Behold, I come as a thief.”  Now here is a warning for us.  “Blessed is the one who is watching and is keeping his garments so that he may not walk naked and they see his shame” (vs. 15).

“And He gathered them together into the place that is called in Hebrew, Armageddon” (vs. 16).  Now Armageddon is not the last war between human beings and great powers on the earth.  Armageddon is the last war before Christ puts His feet on the earth between God and men who are inspired by Satan the devil and the false prophet and the beast.  They are gathered together for the battle.  And I imagine they are all there.  Just like on “Independence Day” {the movie}.  All the armies got together, they were all happy.  Now let’s understand, you can’t get all the armies of all the world in one place.  That’s why it says in Isaiah 2 that He’s going to have to rebuke large nations afar off until they beat their spears into pruning hooks and their swords into plowshares.  So there’s still more to take place.  But all those armies that could get there.

Now verse 17, “Then the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and a loud voice came out from the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying “IT IS DONE!”  ”  This is the day.  Brethren this is the day that we are looking for.  This is the day when it is finished.  This is the day when the end of Satan is going to come.  The end of man’s rule is going to come.  The end of all the hellishness that has been down through the whole history of the whole world, and God is judging great Babylon, as we read in Revelation 17 and 18.  All the judgment of Babylon there in Revelation 18.  Great is that judgment.  You read it.   

Verse 18, “And there were voices and thunders and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were on the earth, so mighty an earthquake—so great!”  Remember Isaiah 40.  Every valley shall be exalted.  Every hill and mountain shall be made low.  That’s when it’s going to happen.  “And the great city was divided into three parts; and the cities of the nations fell…”  Just collapsed.  All the buildings coming down.  And I can’t help but think of that double huge twin tower down in Malaysia, the two biggest tower buildings in the world.  And how they are so proud.  And they even said it’s just like the tower of Babel reaching unto heaven.  God is going to smash it.  It’s going to come down flat to the ground.  “…Then Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath.  And every island disappeared and no mountains were found; then [fell] great hail, each stone the weight of a talent [that’s 180 pounds], fell down from heaven upon men; and men blasphemed God, because of the plague of the hail, for the plague was exceedingly great!” (vs. 18-21).

Now then, let’s come to Revelation 19.  Ok, this is something.  When we come back down to the earth, boy it’s going to really be a spectacular thing.  Now let’s pick this up in verse 9.  Again, this backs us up to Pentecost and carries us forward to Trumpets.  You see how all the holy days are connected together.  There’s a plan.  There is rhyme.  There is reason.  But the only way you can understand these things is to stick close to the word of God.  And some of the things we know for sure.  Some of the things we know a little bit about.  Other things we can guess and give our opinion, and when we do we need to make it clear that we are doing that. 

Now verse 9, “and he said to me, “Write! Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”  And he said to me, “these are the true word of God.”  He inspired every bit of it.  “Then I fell at his feet to worship him.  And he said to me, “See, that you do it not!  I am your fellowservant and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus.  Worship God!  For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”  Not only prophesying events to happen, but also the spirit of prophesying in a testimony by the word of God.  “And I saw heaven opened [it’s going to open again], and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness does He judge and make war.  And His eyes were as a flame of fire, and upon His head were many crowns, having a name written on it which no one knows except He Himself.  And He was clothed with a garment dipped in blood; and His name is called, The Word of God.  And the armies which were in heaven were following Him upon white horses, and they were clothed in fine linen [that’s us]--white and pure.  And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite that nations [and all He has to do is speak the word and it happens]; and He shall shepherd them with a rod of iron; and He treads out the wine press of the fury and the wrath of the Almighty God” (Rev. 19:9-15).

“And He has upon His garment and upon His thigh a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”  Boy, I can just hear the Handle’s Messiah where that is sung.  That is awesome.  “Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the Great God, so that you may eat the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and those who sit on them, and the flesh of all, free and bond, and small and great.  And I saw the beast, and kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war with Him Who sits on the horse, and with His army” (vs. 16-19). 

Here is the great thing that is going to take place on this Feast of Trumpets.  Verse 20, “Then the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet, who worked the miracles in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image.  Those two were cast alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone; and the rest were killed with the sword of Him Who sits on the horse, even the sword which goes out of His mouth; and all the birds were filled with their flesh” (vs. 20-21).  What a great day of Feast of Trumpets this is going to be.  And on that day He puts His feet on the Mount of Olives.  And it splits in two, and He has all the saints with Him.

So brethren, this is a great and fantastic feast day.  A day of war and vengeance to bring the final complete war from God.